Colombian Avena is a traditional and popular cold drink. It's refreshing, creamy and very easy to make.
What is Avena?
It means oats in English and it’s a traditional and popular Colombian drink that is rich, creamy, filling and delicious. It's perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack with pandebono or empanadas.
It is my mom’s favorite Colombian drink that is great with breakfast or you could serve it at any time of the day.
What you Need to Make this Drink
The printable recipe card to make Colombian avena with ingredients and instructions is below.
Oats: I recommend using old-fashioned oats to make this avena recipe.
Milk: You can your favorite milk. I prefer using whole milk, because it makes the texture of the avena creamy and smooth.
Water: To cook the oats. You can add more water if you prefer a thinner drink.
Spices: Cinnamon and cloves.
Sugar: You can adjust the sugar amount to your taste.
How to Make Colombian Avena
Place the water, milk and oats in a medium pot over medium heat and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon.
Add the cinnamon stick, ground cloves and sugar and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 more minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and set aside to cool.
Place the oatmeal mixture in a container and refrigerate for a least 3 hours.
Discard the cinnamon stick and place the mixture in a blender and blend for 2 minutes. Add more water if you like a thinner consistency.
Serve cold.
More Drinks to Try
Refajo (Beer and Soda Cocktail)
Avena Colombiana Recipe (Oatmeal Drink)
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch ground cloves
- 3 ½ tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Place the water, milk and oatmeal in a medium pot over medium heat and cook about 15 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon.
- Add the cinnamon stick, ground cloves and sugar and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 more minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Place the oatmeal mixture in a plastic container and refrigerate for a least 3 hours.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and place the mixture in a blender and blend for 2 minutes. Add more water if you like a thinner consistency.
- Serve cold.
Gloria
I made this avena for breakfast today and we all loved it. The perfect drink for summer. Thank you for sharing your recipes.This is my favorite Colombian drink.
Martin
Valerie, I used to travel a lot to girardot and melgar and always try avena helada.
I can't wait to have to chance to make it this weekend.Hope to hear from you.
Valerie
Martin, I just saw your comment (5 years later). I hope you enjoyed your avena! I look forward to going back and showing my husband where I grew up.
Valerie
oh my goodness! i am making that right now! i just need some quesito to go along with it!.... brings memories of me going to girardot with my family for the weekend!
GregYohn
I modified the recipe. I use 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup water, 1/4 cup condensed milk, tablespoon of sugar, with cinnamon & nutmeg. I heat in the microwave 2 minutes. Makes a thicker drink, so you use a spoon.
SOKY
Carlos; it is suppost to turn like glue, this is normal; that's why you have to add water or milk to the blender and then it will have the consistency that you desire; according to the amount of liquid that you add!!
Have fun!!! this is the beauty of cooking when you can add your own touch!!!
Try it with yougurt and fruits!!!
Indiatayrona.
Carlos
Thank you for your reply. I will add more milk. Thank you again.
r,
cma
Carlos
Thank you for the recipe. I have followed the instruction 3 times to the 't'. Unfortunately it turns our like carpenter glue when it cools down. Have you tested this recipe? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Erica
Carlos- I make this drink once a week and it is good! You can add more water or milk if you think that is too thick for you!
This is my mom's recipe and always works for her as well, sorry it is not working for you!
heather
Maybe you are using instant oatmeal? That will absorb alot of the liquid.
Timothy
Erica,
I did use ff milk and splenda. Left it overnight in fridge, blended it this morning with a few ice cubes and a drop of vanilla and it came out delicious! I think it taste better than the Alpin brand, plus it does not have any things i cannot pronounce in it. Thanks!
Timothy
Timothy
Erica,
I just discoverd Alpine Avena. I am crazy about it. My mate's mother is diabetic and drinks the skim/no sugar one, Finesse. They are Venezuelan. I thought i would make it and came across your site, which is incredible. Two questions:
Can it be made with instant oats?
Can it be made with fat free milk?
I can use Splenda to taste,
Any tips would be appreciated.
Gracias,
Timothy
Erica
Timothy- I did not make it with splenda or low fat milk, but you can try it!
Anonymous
Yes you can make it with instant oats. Just put the instant oats in the blender and blend them raw until you see a powder like substance. I usually make a big batch and I add cinamin and sugar to the mix and I store it in a glass container. This way is more convenient to make.
Nats
Mmmm thanks for posting this! I love this drink but never quite knew how to make it.
Gil
I add milk to blend instead of water, I love avena its refreshing healthy and brings back many memories when traveling through towns in Colombia. I also sprinkle a little cround cinnamon on top and serve ice cold. YUMMM!
Gil.
Rossy
Finally! I have been looking all over the web for this recipe. Here in Miami, there is a local colombian bakery that prepares "Avena Fria" and I have been clueless on how they make it and came across this website! thanks:)
Erica
Thank you Diana!!!!
Sometimes I add condensed milk to my avena too and is delicious, but my mom prefers to have it just with sugar.
Diana
I love ur web site! I am really glad i have found it as i was looking for a proper colombian recipe site for ages. My boyfirend is from Colombia and i will definetely suprise him with some typical dishes from his country. I tried a lot of them and love it! Thank u very much and good luck! Looking forward to more info and recipes on mycolombianrecipes.com
besos
I love avena drink, i add a little bit of condensed milk instead of sugar, its delicious.
Carol
I've drank it while visiting Colombia; can't wait to make it for my kids. Thanks for the recipe;)
Sophie
MMMMMM....souds so lovely!!! MMMMMM....